PeDRA

Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance

Hair Disorders

Pediatric and Adolescent Vitiligo Guidelines

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Project Lead:

Nanette Silverberg, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Overview:

People with vitiligo lose their color progressively over time, in locations easily seen like faces and hands. Half of the vitiligo cases start by age 20, one-quarter by age 10 years, making this one of the most common pediatric skin conditions. Children with vitiligo get teased, bullied, and become self-conscious. There are no specific guidelines for the care of pediatric vitiligo. We will gather as experts in pediatric vitiligo to critically review published evidence and make informed recommendations to guide the care of children with vitiligo.

Status:

This project was funded through a 2021 PeDRA Consensus Grant.

Assessment of hearing and vision in pediatric vitiligo patients

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Principal Investigator:

Anna Garza-Mayers, MD, PhD
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Overview:

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder in which the body’s own immune cells attack melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin, resulting in white spots. Melanocytes also exist in other organs of the body, including the ears and eyes, and some research suggests melanocyte destruction may also affect hearing and vision. Using routine screening tests, our study will compare hearing and vision in pediatric patients with and without vitiligo to determine whether children with vitiligo are at increased risk for hearing loss and decreased vision. This could lead to larger studies and could affect if and how often children with vitiligo are referred for screening tests, potentially impacting their development and quality of life.

Status:

This project was funded by a 2021 PeDRA Research Grant.

Needle-free delivery of intralesional triamcinolone for pediatric alopecia areata: a pilot study of patient tolerability

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Principal Investigator:

Sonal Shah, MD
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Case Western Reserve University

Overview:

Alopecia areata (AA) is a type of hair loss that affects both adults and children. It may be limited to a few spots on the scalp or lead to hair loss across the whole body. AA has often been inappropriately considered a cosmetic condition; however, it can cause significant emotional and psychosocial distress. This can negatively impact the quality of life in affected children. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for this disease. However, we do know that injecting steroids into the areas of hair loss can lead to regrowth. Unfortunately, the use of needles can be scary and painful for children, and many are unable to tolerate this treatment option. We aim to study the tolerability and effectiveness of a novel medical device that can deliver medication into the skin without the use of a needle.

Status:

This project was funded by a 2021 PeDRA Research Grant.